Expert: Justin Case - 9/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: How would 15 quantum torpedoes affect the following?

A) Superman Prime
B) Galactus
C) Thanos
D) Companion
E) Calamarain
F) Silver Surfer
G) Organian
H) Mr. M
I) Phantom Stranger
J) Celestial
K) Spectre
L) Douwd

ANSWER: Hi John -

The quantum torpedo was adopted as a weapon to use against the Borg (originally) because its energy signature oscilates as it flies through space, making it nearly impossible for the Borg to lock on to a specific signature and disable the weapon or adapt their shielding to render it ineffective.  Rather than using anti-matter as its primary means of destruction, the quantum torpedo makes use of plasma.

Given that, here are my thoughts....

A) The Superman in our universe has, on more than one occasion, flown through sun's, both yellow and red, and come out relatively unscathed.  If he can do that I don't see why Superman Prime shouldn't be able to do the same thing.

I gotta believe that the heat, gravity, light and radiation output of the sun is many orders of magnitude higher than that of a quantum torpedo, and if he can survive that, 15 torpedoes should do much of anything to him.

B) Galactus - Galactus had been shown to thrive on (and crave) the energy of entire planets to sustain himself.  Even with a higher isoton energy yeild per torpedo (over photon torpedos) I doubt they could reach the energy output (radiation, gravity etc.) of an entire world so, I doubt the weapons would bother Galactus much at all.

C) Thanos - I think the energy of the torpedos would cause some physical effects to Thanos (being knocked backwards, blown clear of the blast area), but doubt the weapons would be sufficient to cause him much harm.

D) Companion - It would depend on how her specific energy matrix reacts to plasma.  My gut feeling is that the resulting explosions wouldn't do much to her at all.

E) Calamarain - Same as the Companion.

F) Silver Surfer - He'd be knocked clear of the blast zone and might lose conciousness temporarily, but I doubt he suffer much more than cosmetic damage.

G) Organian - Again, it would depend on how their particular energy matrix reacts to plasma, but I doubt they would suffer much at all.

H) Mr. M. - If he was surprised my guess is his physical body within this dimensional plane would be destroyed and his consciousness would return to his place of origin.  If he were ready and could erect some type of shield, I doubt he'd be effected at all.  He might even change the molecular configuration of the weapons into flowers or something like that!

I) Stranger - It's hard to say since his powers have been so ambigious, but I think he'd survive and emerge from the explosion of the torpedoes without a scratch.

J) Celestial - I'd imagine a single Celestial would have an experience much like Galactus.

K) Spectre - His physical manifestation might fade away but he wouldn't suffer any real detrimental affects.

L) Douwd - Again, it depends on how his energy matrix reacts to plasma, but I doubt he'd suffer much.

Thanks!

Deran



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So, besides changing frequency, and being stronger, quantum torpedoes have no other advantages over photons, correct?

Would the turning of the weapons into flowers be akin to "magic," or could that be explained by 4-dimension science?

Answer
Hi John -

They have a higher explosive yield (measured in isotons in the Trekverse) and can thus penetrate shields that the photons cannot.  There is also some indication, though not confirmed, that they can be guided in ways photons can't.

From what the comics tell us anything Mr. M does has some basis in 5th dimensional science, but to us it seems like magic.

Thanks!

Deran